Now What?

[Guest therisa]

Earlier today, I was talking with an intake clerk, at the local hospital, I am seriously thinking about applying for their day-programs. Found out, I need my doctor to fill out 3 page information questionnaire, about my psychological history, which includes the basics, like suicide attempts, depression, anxiety and any psychosis. This is, the part that I am concern over, given my last psychological assessment was done, by a transphobic psych internist. She called my past experiences, “justifiable paranoia”, and according to the definition, psychosis occurs, when a person, can’t tell reality from fantasy. Using this definition, I am so screwed, here.

Personally, when you are being chased or beaten up, you know, the dividing point between reality and fantasy. Fantasy means, not having to endure these daily events, in your life. Freaking cow. Make matters worse, she got the information that I told her, wrong in her final copy of the report, she sent to my doctor. Wonder, if they would be, using the fact, I am a Transsexual woman, as a psychosis, needing to be cured, by their day-programs? If it is, I am having very serious second thoughts, of allowing myself to be caught, in this mess, called the mental health system. These are not delusional concerns, but the honest questions, of a person, who has been through, a lot of garbage, in life. Grrr.

Enclosed, is the link, the questionnaire, that I need to get filled out, by my doctor. http://www.tegh.on.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-24-4038〈=1

[Carolyn Marie]

Therisa, if the form is to be filled out by your family doctor or regular therapist, and not by the "transphobic psych intern," then you should not have to worry too much about inaccurate information being put on the form. The medical community knows full well that being TG or TS is not a form of psychosis, or even of mental illness, so there is little or no chance of you being abused by the mental health facility because of your being TS.

That's no guarantee that you will like their program, but it might be worth a shot.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest]

Hi Therisa,

I've seen it with my wife - treated by about 20 mental health professionials over a few years as she bounced from hospital to hospital. It was infuriating because none of them ever looked at any of the previous diagnoses - and had to do their own all over again (and it never was the same).

If your health care community is anything like I've experienced, the initial paperwork will soon become lost among altogether new diagnostics. Even without that, I doubt that the notes of an intern would carry heavy weight against the rest of your records.

I do hope you can get into the program - a continuity of care over the long term can make the difference.

Love, Kat

[Guest therisa]

Therisa, if the form is to be filled out by your family doctor or regular therapist, and not by the "transphobic psych intern," then you should not have to worry too much about inaccurate information being put on the form. The medical community knows full well that being TG or TS is not a form of psychosis, or even of mental illness, so there is little or no chance of you being abused by the mental health facility because of your being TS.

That's no guarantee that you will like their program, but it might be worth a shot.

Carolyn Marie

Thank you, Carolyn. What you say makes sense, but I still have my doubts about the system. Something, learned from experienced. Hoping this time, it will be different but not holding my breath for it.

therisa

[Guest therisa]

Hi Therisa,

I've seen it with my wife - treated by about 20 mental health professionials over a few years as she bounced from hospital to hospital. It was infuriating because none of them ever looked at any of the previous diagnoses - and had to do their own all over again (and it never was the same).

If your health care community is anything like I've experienced, the initial paperwork will soon become lost among altogether new diagnostics. Even without that, I doubt that the notes of an intern would carry heavy weight against the rest of your records.

I do hope you can get into the program - a continuity of care over the long term can make the difference.

Love, Kat

Hoping so, Kathleen.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Give it a try. I think Kat is corret. No one person is going to consider anything done earlier by anyone else - much less an intern - they just want to make certain you have an earlier 'history' so they are not starting with someone from scratch. Really what you are doing is documenting you are genuinely in need of services.

And go in with the attitude of expecting little, but hoping for he best. Perhaps you will luck out and get someone good.

Lizzy

[Guest therisa]

Give it a try. I think Kat is corret. No one person is going to consider anything done earlier by anyone else - much less an intern - they just want to make certain you have an earlier 'history' so they are not starting with someone from scratch. Really what you are doing is documenting you are genuinely in need of services.

And go in with the attitude of expecting little, but hoping for he best. Perhaps you will luck out and get someone good.

Lizzy

Elizabeth, these psychological issues are the reason, I am on a disability support program. It took a suicide attempt in 2007, for my medical team realized the depth of my problems.

therisa

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Elizabeth, these psychological issues are the reason, I am on a disability support program. It took a suicide attempt in 2007, for my medical team realized the depth of my problems.

therisa

Yes I understand - what I was saying is why they are backtracking - it's a proceedural thing - has little to do with you, really. They will check off a box (THAT'S DONE) and then get you on board. THAT's when you set them straight on your condition.

I suppose that's probably what you will find out!

Lizzy

[Guest therisa]

Yes I understand - what I was saying is why they are backtracking - it's a proceedural thing - has little to do with you, really. They will check off a box (THAT'S DONE) and then get you on board. THAT's when you set them straight on your condition.

I suppose that's probably what you will find out!

Lizzy

Hope so, Elizabeth.